In my prayer time, I heard from the Lord the phrase “living in a new place.” He revealed to me that the phrase has dual meaning. For some, living in a new place represents an external change to one’s lifestyle, while for others it will be an internal transformation. However, no matter the adjustment, the result is a shift in our lives.
For some, living in a new place will require a job change, moving to a new home or relocating to a new state. At first, if not careful, the interpretation of the change could be construed as negative. However, God does not want you to be overwhelmed by the circumstances you’re facing. God is strategically shifting you into the new He has for you.
When experiencing a shift in our lives, the transition from the old to the new can be challenging. We are so accustomed to what we know, that we don’t want to relinquish the familiar for the unfamiliar. We must embrace the shift from a different perspective: God’s. He is always about increase and expansion, and He is aware of our needs and the journey ahead of us.
“You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness You follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. You have laid Your hand on me!” (Ps. 139:5, TPT).
Living in a New Place of Freedom
For those making a physical shift, I want to encourage you to rest in the goodness of God. When you feel apprehensive, remember God has already gone into your future to prepare the way for you. He wants you to live in a new place of peace as you follow His promptings.
However, there is another shift occurring. For those who have battled a vicious, defeating mindset, living in a new place is taking occupancy within your mind. Those toxic thoughts of ineptness, delinquency, defeat or failure are no longer in the forefront of your mind. Instead, you are choosing to believe God’s Word for your life and living in a new place of freedom.
You have flipped the switch from toxic, negative thinking to godly thinking. The thought reruns of I will not succeed, or I’m a failure, or I am stupid, or My life will never amount to anything are rejected and ejected from your thinking. You are no longer cutting yourself down because of your past experiences, nor are you regurgitating your weaknesses, flaws and sins. You are living in a new place of God’s grace. Living in a new place is filled with love, hope, dreams and possibilities.
Infinitely More Than We Could Imagine
Then you will be empowered to discover what every holy one experiences—the great magnitude of the astonishing love of Christ in all its dimensions. How deeply intimate and far-reaching is His love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!
Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination” (Eph. 3:18-20a).
We are to love the Lord God with all of our hearts, minds, souls and strength, and we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Living in a new place starts with allowing the Father to extravagantly pour His love into us, then permitting ourselves to love ourselves and to be at peace with ourselves. Loving yourself is believing the best about you, even through moments of disappointment, failure and uncertainty.
Living in a new place of loving ourselves opens the doors for the occupancy of dreams, hopes and possibilities. The shift to making opportunities happen no longer becomes our driving force. Our expectations move onto God, who can do more through our lives than we could ever dream or imagine.
No matter the shift, living in a new place is about personal development, and living in a new place is about responding to circumstances. God wants you to embrace this season with complete confidence. Don’t waver in doubt. Keep following His lead.
Let’s live in the new place God has for us. {eoa}
Melissa Pearce is an ordained minister, evangelistic preacher, teacher, speaker, encourager, author, leader and a woman after God’s heart. Through her book, Unveiling Jesus: 365 Daily Devotional Through the Gospels, authored Bible studies, YouTube, Facebook teachings and more, Melissa teaches how to trust Him and realize our value in Christ Jesus. Driven by Ephesians 3:17 and inspired by the Lord’s call to encourage, love and minister, Melissa established Enduring Hope Ministries in 2010. Above all, Melissa’s mission is to empower women of all generations to find their identity in Jesus Christ so that they can see their self-worth through His eyes. Like many women, Melissa has battled with insecurity, but through God’s love, she’s silenced those lies that stole her confidence, and she wants to help others do the same.
This article originally appeared at elijahlist.com.
